Lucknow : In a major step towards strengthening animal husbandry and increasing farmers’ income, the Uttar Pradesh government signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). The agreement was formalized in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who described the move as a “transformational initiative to make the dairy sector the backbone of the rural economy.”
Under the MoU, NDDB will take over operations of three major dairy plants located in Kanpur, Gorakhpur, and Kannauj, along with a cattle feed manufacturing unit in Ambedkar Nagar. These facilities, which were previously facing operational roadblocks despite full construction, are now expected to be revived to full capacity with no additional financial burden on the state government.
“New Era of Transparency and Technical Excellence”: CM Yogi
Speaking at the signing ceremony, CM Yogi stated:
“With NDDB’s experience and professionalism, we are ensuring direct benefit to farmers, transparent operations, and improved product quality for consumers. This marks a new beginning for Uttar Pradesh’s dairy industry.”
He highlighted that the state, endowed with abundant livestock resources and milk production capacity, has the potential to become not only India’s leading dairy state but also a global player. The partnership with NDDB, he said, is a “visionary and practical step” in that direction.
Yogi Adityanath also emphasized the role of women empowerment in dairy development, noting successful women-led cooperatives like Balini Milk Producer Company in Jhansi. He criticized past governments for neglecting the animal husbandry sector, stating that only after 2014—under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership—did real innovation and development begin.
NDDB to Operate Four Key Units
NDDB Chairman Meenesh Shah, present at the event, expressed gratitude for the state government’s support during the 2022 World Dairy Summit held in Noida. He assured that the plants under NDDB management will be developed into model, profitable units within the coming years.
Details of the four facilities:
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Kanpur Dairy Plant: ₹160.84 crore investment, 4 lakh liters/day capacity
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Gorakhpur Plant: ₹61.80 crore, 1 lakh liters/day
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Kannauj Plant: ₹88.05 crore, 1 lakh liters/day
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Ambedkar Nagar Feed Plant: ₹18.44 crore, 100 MT/day capacity (projected annual profit: ₹66.88 lakh)
Farmer-Centric, Youth-Inclusive, No Extra State Spending
The CM stressed that the revenue-sharing model ensures mutual benefit for the government and farmers, without increasing the state’s financial burden. The project will guarantee:
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Timely payments to milk producers
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Efficient use of local cooperative networks
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Reduced operational waste
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New employment opportunities for youth
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Improved product quality and market access
Principal Secretary of Dairy Development informed that these plants, though complete, were idle due to lack of buyers and high operational costs. With NDDB’s involvement, they are expected to resume full operations and maximize productivity.
A Model for Self-Reliance
This collaboration represents a milestone in rural economic transformation, aligning with the government’s vision of self-reliant and technically empowered agriculture and allied sectors. By adopting NDDB’s best practices, Uttar Pradesh aims to set a benchmark for other states in dairy innovation and farmer welfare.
